Coin-controlled mechanism.



H. L. HAIGHT.

ODIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 111111.28, 1914.

1,1 15,528. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Elliot/1121 H. L. HAIGHT.

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1914.

1,1 15,528. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3,

Suva 14 mm 2m I Herbert J. lmiphi,

1 nrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT L. HAIGHT, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

COIN-CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3,1914.

Original application filed April 14, 1913; Serial No. 760,992. Divided and this application filed March 28,

1914. Serial No. 827,919

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HERBERT L. :HnIoH'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county of Ingharn and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin Controlled Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to com controlled means, embodied vending machine, disclosed in my co-pend-- ing application for vending machine, filed tion of elements thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are primarily operatedby a single crank or the like, the remaining elements thereof being actuated by the movement of the crank and operating automati cally.

A further object of my invention is to provide means to positively lock the pump operating elements of the apparatus against rotation before the proper coin is inserted. such elements being automatically released upon the insertion of the coin and a slight movement of the crank and associated elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to return the coin to the operator in the event that the apparatus does not contain a sufficient amount of gasolene or the like.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus, parts thereof being shown in section. on line 1-1 of Fig. 2, and parts thereof broken away, Fig. 2 is in my improved an end view of the same, parts being in section and parts removed, Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a side view of the pumping means, parts thereof being shown in section, and, Fig 5 1s a side elevation of the liquid fuel holding tank or receptacle, the elements disposed therein being shown in section, and a portion of the tank broken away.

In the drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 6 designates a casin or shell, of

any well known or preferre type, within which are arranged the different operating elements of the apparatus, so that the same cannot be tampered with.

Rlgidly mounted within the shell 6, near and spaced Irom the upper cndthereof, is a horizontal support or base 7, as shown. Rigidly mounted upon this base 7 are spaced upstanding bearings 8, within which is rotatably mounted an operating shaft 9. This operating shaft extends outwardly beyond the shell .6 and-is provided at its free end with a handle or crank 10, rigidly connected therewith. The operating shaft 9 carries a ratchet wheel 11, rigidly mounted thereon. This ratchet wheel is provided with a laterally extending hub or'sleeve 12, rigidly connected therewith and preferably cast integral with the same. The hub 12 is provided at its end with teeth 13, to engage with teeth 14 formed upon the end of a hub 15, forming a part of a small gear 16, which is rotatably mounted upon the operating shaft 9. The teeth 13 and 1% are preferably so arranged that the hub 12 may be rotated for substantially one-fourth of a revolution before the teeth 13 will engage the teeth 14 to efiect the rotation of the hub 15 in the same direction. It is thus seen that the teeth 13 and 14 form a lost motion connection or clutch between the hubs 12 and 15. The hub 12 carries an upstanding post 17 and the hub an upstanding post 18, which are connected by a suitably stiff 'retractile coil spring 19, the function of which is to return the hub 12 to its normal position when released, so thatv the teeth l3 and 14 will be properly spaced. for allowing the hub 12 to be turned for substantially one-fourth of a revolution before turning the hub 15. as above stated. 1

ligidly mounted upon the base 7 are upstanding spaced bearings 20. through which is journaled a rotatable shaft 21. This shaft 21 has a large gear wheel 22 rigidly mounted thereon, which permanently engages the small gear wheel 16, as shown. Rigidly connected with one end of the rotatable shaft 21 is a crank-disk 23, which operates within an opening 24 formed in the base 7, as shown. a

Means are provided to normally look the large gear wheel or pinion 22 against rotation, comprising a movable or reciprocatory bolt 25, provided at its forward end with a tooth 26 to engage between the teeth of the gear wheel or pinion 22. The reciprocatory bolt 25 operates within a statiouar guide bracket 27, rigidly mounted upon t e base 7 as shown. Suitably connected with the reciprocatory bolt 25 is a curved rod or arm 28, connected at its opposite end with a head 29, carried by a reciprocatory rod or bolt 30. The rod or bolt 30 operates through a horizontal guide bracket 31, which is rig-' idly mounted upon a support 32, fixed upon the base 7. The reciprocatory rod or bolt 30 and the arm or rod 28 are adapted to be moved longitudinally simultaneously in the same direction, the same being in effect a continuous rod. Connected with the forward or free end of the rod or bolt 30 is a retractile coil spring 33, which is attached to the shell 6 or other fixed support. The

spring 33 normally holds the rod or bolt 30 in a forward position with the head 29 engaging the guide bracket 31, as shown in F slr The head 29 is provided upon its lower side with a longitudinal slot 34, for receiving the teeth of the ratchet wheel 11.This

head is also provided with a vertical coin slot 35, which leads into the slot 34. It is thus seen that when a suitable coin is insert'ed within-the. slot 35, the same will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 11,

which upon being turned in the direction of the arrow will move the head 29 and associated elements longitudinally in the same direction, whereby the tooth 26 of the bolt 25 will disengage the teeth of the large gear wheel 22.

The rod or bolt 30 is provided upon its upper surface with a recess or notch 36, to be moved adjacent to and receive the end of a dog or pawl 37, upon the longitudinal movement of the same in one direction. The free end of this dog or pawl operates through an opening 33 formed in the guide bracket 31, the same normally slidably engaging the rod or bolt 30. This dog or pawl 37 is pivoted, as shown at 39 upon fixed ears or brackets 40. Suitably mounted within the upper end of the shell 6 is a dispensing tank or receptacle 41 having connection at its lower end with a depending supply pipe 42, as shown. The numeral 43 designates a tubular post mounted within the dispensing tank 41, as

shown. Extending longitudinally through the tubular post 43 is a connecting rod 44, the lower end of which is forked and straddles the dog or pawl 37 and is pivotally connected therewith, as shown at 45. Connected with the upper end of the tubular post 43 is a horizontal support or bar 46, upon which is rigidly mounted an upstanding ear or bracket 47. Pivotally connected with the upper end of this bracket 47, as shown at 48, is a vertically swinging lever 49, having pivotal connection with the upper forked end of the connecting rod'44, as shown at 50. Rigidly connected with one end of the vertically swinging lever 49 and preferably formed integral therewith is an approximately vU-shaped bracket 51, supporting a screw-threaded rod 52, rigidly attached thereto.

The numeral 53 designates a'float-ball, which is longitudinally movably mounted upon the vertical rod 52 and held upon the same in adjustment ata desired position by nuts 54, disposed above and below the same, as shown. -Adjustably mounted upon the opposite end of the lever 49 is a counterweight 55, which is clamped in adjustment at a desired position upon said lever by means of a clamping screw 56 or the like. It is thus seen that when the bolt or rod 30 is longitudinally moved to theright so that the free end of the dog or pawl 37 will enter 'the'notch 36, upon the supply of the proper discharge pipe 57, which extends outwardly beyond the shell 6 and is preferably con-- nected with a hose 58 or other suitable coniiuit. Connected in the outlet pipe 57 is a [valve structure 59 of any well known or preferred type, the valve of which (not shown), is operated by a stem 60, passing through a fixed guide bracket 61. Rigidlyconnected with the outer end of the stem 60 is a depending crank 62, having pivotal connection with a link 63, which is in turn pivotally connected with an upstanding finger 64, This finger is provided at its lower end with an open head, for receiving the free end of the rod or bolt 30, the same being clamped thereon by a screw 65. When the rod or bolt 30 is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. l, the valve structure 59 is open to allow of the escape of the liquid from the tank'4l but when the rod 30 is moved longitudinally to the right so that the end of the dog or pawl 37 enters the opening or notch 36, the valve structure 59 will be closed, the same having been operated by the finger 64, link 63'and depending crank 62, as is obvious. It is to be understood that any suitable form of valve may be connected in the pipe 57.

' Disposed below the base 7 is pumping means, comprising a stationary upstanding cylinder 66, within which is mounted, a piston 6.7. Pivotally connected with this piston is a depending pitman 68, having pivotal connection with the crank-disk 23, as shown at '69. The lower end of the cylinder 66 is connected with a T-coupling 70, which is connected with a depending pipe 71 and the pipe 42. The pipe 42 has a check valve 72 connected therewith, as shown. The pipe 71 extends downwardly and leads into a liquid fuel holding tank or receptacle 73, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.. The pipe 71 has a check valve 74 connected therewith.

Disposed within the tank 73 is a vertical pipe 7 5, within which is mounted a float 76. Connected with this float is an upstanding rod 77, pivotally connected at its upper end with a horizontal lever 78, which is pivotally mounted, as shown at 79, upon a fixed support 80. The numeral 81 designates a coin chute which is connected at its outer end with the shell 6 and at its lower end with the guide bracket 31, at 31'. This coin chute conducts the coin to the slot The coin chute 81 comprises an upwardly swinging section 82, pivoted, as shown at 83. The section 82 is pivotally connected with a rod 84,

' which extends downwardly and is pivotally connected with one end of the lever 78. Disposed below the coin chute section 82 is a housing 85, to deliver the return-coin into a catching receptacle 86, through an opening 87. It is thus seen that when the liquid fuel held within the tank 73 falls below a certain into the slot 35 of the head 29, to engage.

the teeth of the ratchet wheel 11, forming detachable connecting means between the head and the ratchet wheel. The operator now turns the handle 10 clock-wise for rotating the ratchet wheel 11 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 1. When the handle 10 is first turned, that is before the same has been turned for substantially a 'quarter of a revolution, the shaft 9 being rigidly connected with the ratchet wheel 11 and extension 12 will primarily turn the same but will not turn t e small gear wheel 16 and extension or hub 15, until the teeth 13 engage the teeth 14, which takes lace when the shaft 9 has been turned or a quarter of a revolution. Upon the artial rotation of the ratchet wheel 11 while the gear wheel 16 is'stationary, as above stated, the head 29 and arm 28 are moved longitudinally to the right to withdraw the tooth '26 from between the teeth ofthe large gear wheel 22, such arm 28 being held in this position by the free end of the pawl or dog entering t e openin or notch 36 of the rod or bolt 30, carried by the head 29.- When the rod or bolt 30 is moved to the right so that the end of the pawl 37 enters the recess 36, the coin within the slot of the head 29 occupies a position at or near one side of the ratchet wheel, whereby the tooth which engages the coin will now tend to move the same downwardly for dischargin it from the slot, the same being collected within the receptacle 86'. Attention is called to the fact that as the pawl 37 is now holding the rod or bolt 30 against return: ing movement, the tension of the spring 33 will be practically removed from the coin. In-practice it has been found that no difliculty is experienced in o erating the machine due to the failure 0 the coin to drop or disengage the ratchet wheel, but if the same should stick, it is obvious that the same may be readily released, after the pawl 37 has entered the recess 36, by turning the crank shaft 9 slightly in a reverse direction,

it being remembered that the coin is now 10- I cated near or upon one side of the ratchet wheel, the same falling within the receptacle 86. The valve structure 59 is closed upon the movement of the rod or "bolt 30 to the right. .It is thus seen that the large pinion 22 is released and the locking means therefor will be held out of engagement therewith, until a proper amount of the gasolene or the like has been prmped into the dispensing tank 41. The crank 10 is now rotated freely in the same direction, the teeth 13 engaging the teeth 14, whereby the small gear 16 is locked to the shaft 9 for rotation therewith. 'The small gear 16 rotates the large gear wheel 22, which in turn rotates the shaft 21; This shaft rotates the crank-disk 23, which causes the piston 67 (see Fig. 4),

to be reciprocated, for pumping the gasowhereby the free end of the dog or pawl is withdrawn from the opening or notch 36. When this takes place the spring 33 at once moves the rod or bolt 30, head 29, and arm 28 to the left into their normal position. The valve structure 59 is now opened and the bolt 25 returned to engagement with the gear wheel 22 to prevent rotation of the same. The gasolene or the like will now discharge through the pipe 57 The small gear wheel 16 engaging the large gear wheel 22, is now held against rotation. When the crank or handle 10 is released, the gear wheel 16 being relatively stationary,as above stated, the spring 19 will turn the ratchet wheel 11 and associated elements connterclock-wise so that the teeth 13 and 14: will be spaced for substantially a quarter of a revolution. When the level of the gasolene within the tank 73 drops below a certain point, the float 76 descends carrying with it the rod 77, which swings the lever 78. This movement of the lever 7 8 moves the link or rod 84 upwardly to swing the coin chute section 82 upwardly, whereby the coin is returned to the operator.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my claim 1. In a coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable gear, locking means for normally holding the gear against rotation, a rota table driving shaft, means to rotate the driving shaft, coin controlled means adapted upon the insertion of a coin therein to opcrate the locking means and release the gear upon the rotation of the driving shaft, and separate loss-motion driving connecting means between the operating shaft and the gear including relatively movable elements and a yielding member connecting the relatively movable elements, whereby the operating shaft may turn a substantial distance before the turning of the gear.

2. In coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable shaft, a gear loosely mounted thereon, a coin engaging member rigidly secured to invention, I

the shaft. loss motion connections between.

the coin engaging member and gear, a second gear engaging the first named gear, a latch to engage and disengage the second gear, and a member connected with the latch to move the same and having means to receive and hold a coin in proximity to the coin engaging member to form a detachable connection between the coin engaging memher and the latch moving member.

3. In coin controlling mechanismfa movnear the same, loss motion connections between the coin engaging member and gear, means to rotate the coin engaging member, a second gear engaging the first named gear, a latch to engage and disengage the second named gear, and a member connected with the latch to move the same and having means to receive and hold a coin inproximity to the coin engaging member, to form a detachable connection between the coin engaging member and the latch moving member.

4. In coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable element, a movable member to engage the rotatable element to hold the same against rotation, a movable rod connected with the movable member and provided with a coin receiving opening, and a rotatable wheel having teeth extending into proximity to the rod to engage with the coin disposed '85 within the coin receiving opening to move the rod through the medium of .the coin.

5. In coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable element, a movable member to engage the rotatable element to hold the same against rotation, a reciprocatory rod connected with the movable member and pro-- vided with a coin receiving opening, a rotatable wheel having teeth extending into proximity with the reciprocatory rod to engage with the coin held Within the coin receiving opening to. move the rod through the medium of the coin, a spring to move the rod in one direction, and means to lock the rod against movement by the spring.

6. In a vending machine of the character described, the combination with a movable driven member, a reciprocatory element adapted to engage the driven member to lock it against movement, a reciprocatory rod connected with the reciprocatory element, a rotatable element to move the reciprocatory rod and adapted to be detachably connected therewith by means of a coin, a movable driving element connected with the rotatable element and engaging the movable driven member, and means to drive the rotatable element and the movable driving element.

7. In coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable shaft, a gear loosely mounted thereon, a coin engaging member rigidly secured to the shaft, loss motion connections between the coin engaging member and gear, a spring.

connected with the gear to turn the same in one direction with relation to the coin engaging member, a second gear engaging the first named gear, a latch movable into and out of engagement with the second named gear, and a member connected with the latch and provided with means for receiving and holding a coin in proximity to the coin engaging member to detachably connect the coin engaging member and the latch moving able coin engaging member, a gear arranged 1 member.

8. In coin controlled mechanism, a rotatable shaft, a toothed wheel rigidly mounted upon the shaft and provided upon one end with spaced teeth, a gear loosely mounted 1 upon the shaft in end to end relation with l the toothed wheel, and provided upon its corresponding end with spaced teeth adapted topohperate with the first named spaced teeth, a spring connecting the toothed wheel and gear, a second gear engaging the first named gear, a latch movable into and out of engagement with the second named gear,

and a member connected with the latch to move the same and provided with means to receive and hold a coin in proximity to the toothed wheel to detachably connect the toothed wheel and latch moving member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HERBERT L. HAIGHT.

Witnesses:

NELLY E. STOKES, SAMUEL H. RHOADS. 

